ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The $799 Samsung Galaxy S25 is for customers who desire a flagship expertise in a smaller type issue.
- This yr’s {hardware} upgrades are pretty restricted, however a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy does enhance the battery and digital camera high quality.
- The digital camera nonetheless suffers from shutter lag, making it much less ideally suited for capturing fast-moving topics.
extra shopping for selections
The Samsung Galaxy S25 won’t be as flashy because the Extremely, however it’s nonetheless the perfect compact cellphone you should buy proper now. It refines an already nice formulation with a slimmer, lighter design, higher battery life, and smarter AI options. However with minimal {hardware} upgrades over its predecessor, is it nonetheless value $799?
Additionally: I changed my iPhone 16 Professional with the Galaxy S25 Extremely – and there is a clear winner
It helps that Samsung is relying on an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor this yr, which not solely brings velocity enhancements but additionally higher picture readability and extra environment friendly battery life — arguably the three most necessary facets for shoppers. I’ve spent the previous week testing the gadget, and whereas the spec sheet might not excite you, the real-world expertise tells a distinct story.
The Galaxy S25 is slimmer and lighter than final yr’s Galaxy S24. The truth is, it is some of the comfy telephones I’ve held and used. In contrast to the bigger Galaxy S25 Extremely, the flat sides do not feel unwieldy, and the curved edges maintain it useful. I might go so far as to say it affords a greater in-hand really feel than the Google Pixel 9 and iPhone 16.
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On the entrance, there is a 6.2-inch AMOLED show with an FHD+ decision, which, on paper, is much less sharp than the QHD+ screens discovered on the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Extremely. However in observe, it is nonetheless sharp and vibrant for its measurement. From scrolling via Reels on Instagram to looking on Chrome to watching motion pictures on Netflix, the Galaxy S25 show delivers a satisfying content material consumption expertise.
I simply want the anti-reflective coating of Gorilla Armor 2 from the Galaxy S25 Extremely had trickled all the way down to this mannequin, because it makes the display extra usable in vivid environments. It is a quality-of-life improve that might have made the compact cellphone expertise really one among a form. That mentioned, the display remains to be pretty legible in direct daylight, as proven within the picture above.
At Galaxy Unpacked, I had the impression that Samsung was over-relying on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor to ship a considerable improve over the Galaxy S24 this yr. Perhaps I dismissed it too shortly as a result of, in my time reviewing the Galaxy S25, I’ve observed battery life enhancements that I’ve by no means seen from the smallest Samsung mannequin.
Additionally: I’ve examined each Samsung Galaxy S25 mannequin – and my favourite is not the Extremely
From my checks, the Galaxy S25 lasted me a minimum of an hour and a half longer than its predecessor below comparable utilization. It is a one-day cellphone for average customers — those that browse, use social media, and message regularly. Whereas navigation and digital camera use will drain the battery quicker, most individuals can be happy with the battery life right here.
Whereas I like the truth that Samsung has managed to ship higher battery life in a slimmer and lighter design, I might have most popular a charging fee quicker than 25W this yr. At the very least maintain it on par with the Galaxy S25 Plus and Extremely’s 45W!
Just like the charging, Samsung hasn’t up to date the cameras on the Galaxy S25 this yr. It options the identical optics because the Galaxy S24, that are the identical because the Galaxy S23 from the yr earlier than. As an alternative, Samsung continues to lean on the newest processor to reinforce its digital camera {hardware}, which retains the units market-relevant, however nothing extra.
For a refresher, the digital camera system features a 50MP main digital camera with optical picture stabilization, a 10MP telephoto digital camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide-angle sensor.
Additionally: These helpful One UI 7 options are coming to the Galaxy S25 sequence – and older fashions too
The cellphone affords good dynamic vary and constant colours throughout its sensors. I’ve discovered my picture samples to be barely extra detailed than these from final yr’s mannequin. Samsung has additionally labored on delivering extra correct human pores and skin tones, together with higher low-light outcomes by way of readability and lesser noise in difficult environments.
1x, 3x and 5x images on the Galaxy S25.
Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
In comparison with the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9, I want the Galaxy S25 digital camera for its versatility. A devoted 3x telephoto digital camera is crucial for me. Nonetheless, in case your digital camera utilization entails capturing toddlers or pets, the iPhone might serve you higher, as these cameras nonetheless wrestle with fast-moving topics. Until you utilize the Knowledgeable RAW app to regulate the shutter velocity for all images, this is not the perfect digital camera system for capturing little people and furry buddies.
Among the largest digital camera upgrades are available in video mode. Now you can shoot log movies with Galaxy Log, enabling cinematographers to use LUTs to color-grade their 10-bit footage.
Additionally: Each Samsung Galaxy S25 mannequin in contrast: The right way to resolve which cellphone to purchase
The Galaxy S25 additionally introduces a brand new post-editing function known as Audio Eraser, which makes use of AI to acknowledge and take away undesirable noises reminiscent of wind, water, or public chatter. The same function is obtainable on Apple and Google telephones, so I am comfortable to report that Samsung has lastly caught up — and it really works effectively.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 runs Android 15-based One UI 7, which can quickly roll out to the older Galaxy S24 sequence, bringing most, if not all, of the options I am about to say to final yr’s telephones.
Beginning with AI Choose, my most-used AI function over the previous few days. It really works like Circle to Search, permitting you to spotlight on-screen content material and counsel on-device actions primarily based on the knowledge.
Additionally: This $300 Samsung cellphone appears nearly as good because the Galaxy S25 – at a fraction of the value
For instance, should you obtain an occasion invite by way of textual content or e mail with time, date, and site particulars, you’ll be able to faucet on AI Choose from the Edge Panel, spotlight the invite particulars, and the cellphone will counsel an “Add to Calendar” possibility. Faucet on it, and the time, date, and site are routinely crammed in inside your Calendar app.
There’s additionally a brand new Galaxy AI function known as Now Temporary, an app-widget hybrid that consolidates necessary knowledge in a single place. In concept, it could possibly present climate updates, counsel taking the day simple if Galaxy Well being detects poor sleep, suggest Spotify playlists out of your favourite artists, show information and calendar occasions, and counsel YouTube Shorts.
Nonetheless, in my expertise, it has principally been a glorified climate app. It could not detect my Google Match knowledge synced with Galaxy Well being and did not present me any information. The steered Spotify playlists weren’t primarily based on my preferences both. Samsung claims the service will enhance over time, so I am going to replace this evaluation if I discover adjustments.
One UI 7 introduces the Now Bar, a brand new strategy to show lively app notifications on the lock display. When you’ve got a timer, music participant, or navigation working, they seem as stacked playing cards on the lock display that you may swipe and work together with.
It jogs my memory of Dynamic Island and Reside Actions on iPhones and, similarly, helps a restricted variety of apps at launch. I count on it to realize help for extra apps as builders combine it into their merchandise. For now, it appears like a pleasant function in its early phases.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: I in contrast the bottom fashions that most individuals can purchase
Different Galaxy AI social gathering methods embody Portrait Studio for creating 3D cartoons and sketches from portraits, Sketch to Picture, and Generative AI for including objects to images. These options are extra refined and constant, however duties like Generative AI and background enlargement within the Gallery app can nonetheless take greater than 10 seconds to course of.
The Galaxy S25 additionally consists of Gemini AI upgrades. The brand new, remodeled model of Google Assistant could be triggered by a protracted press of the aspect button. It permits you to ask for data, plan issues, and ship WhatsApp messages to contacts. It is higher at dealing with a number of instructions in a single line, and I am wanting ahead to broader third-party app help.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Whereas it could appear to be an underwhelming improve on paper, I’ve loved utilizing the Samsung Galaxy S25. My solely gripe is its incapacity to seize transferring topics effectively with out adjusting the shutter velocity in Knowledgeable RAW. In case you can overlook that, this can be a stable cellphone for $799 — and an excellent higher deal should you can snag it with a trade-in supply or promotion.
In comparison with Google and Apple, the Galaxy S25 affords a greater show, the perfect in-hand really feel in its phase, a extra versatile digital camera setup, and good battery life. It is higher than the equally priced Pixel 9 and iPhone 16 — and my high choose for anybody on the lookout for a compact flagship proper now.
